In her 10 years at Education Week, Catherine Gewertz has written primarily about urban education. She concentrates on the world of secondary schools, with a particular focus on the transitions into and out of high school.

Gay Youth More Likely to Be Harassed in Rural Areas, Study Finds

It can be tough to be a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender teenager. But a new study suggests that it can be toughest in rural areas, and in areas with high levels of poverty or low levels of adult educational attainment.

Research by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, published in the August issue of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, examined regional and school-level variables in school climate for teenagers. It found more bullying and harassment of teens based on sexual orientation or the expression of their gender identity in rural areas than in suburban or urban ones, and in those where poverty is high and education levels are low. (The overview of the journal's special issue on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth is here.)

A stack of reports attests to the difficulties LGBT youth face in school. Those forms of bullying and harassment have received increasing attention as educators become more aware of the need to create safe and caring school climates. Ed Secretary Duncan has shown a sensitivity to the issue, and one of the highest-profile champions of the cause, former GLSEN executive director Kevin Jennings, leads the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

Could all these things point to a change for the better for LGBT teens?

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1 Comment

This information can definitely point to a better change for LGBT teens. However, I feel that in order for better change to be made in rural areas, children are more likely to respond positively if they are around LGBT subjects at a younger age. In rural areas, there are few LGBT people, so the community isn't used to it and they see that as something like a freak.